Romeo Must Die came at the right time. It was the right vehicle for me.
I think it's important to take a break, you know, from the public eye for a while, and give people a chance to miss you. I want longevity. I don't want to get out there and run myself ragged and spread myself thin.
Of course, the advantage is that, being in this business, you get to learn a lot, experience a lot of new things, and you can become real successful. The disadvantage is, of course the negative media. People may try to manipulate you and control you, and those are the things you have to avoid. But if you maintain strong family values and you believe in God, you can be successful. So, it's been tough, but I've gotten through it because I stuck with my family and my deep belief in God.
I've been singing all my life. I've always wanted this. I sang in church, in school plays, and my parents gave me vocal lessons. My parents always said this was destined for me.
I see myself as sexy. If you are comfortable with it, it can be very classy and appealing.
It's really a sad story, and I liked that. The songs on this album talk about relationships in every aspect.
When a fan comes up to you and says I love your music, there’s nothing better than that.
Everything is worth it. The hard work, the times when you're tired, the times where you're a bit sad... In the end, it's all worth it because it really makes me happy. There's nothing better than loving what you do.
It’s in how you carry yourself. I’ve always been a very mature person, and I’ve always known what I wanted. And I go after it no matter what.
There is always a bit of pressure to do a good album - to do good work, period. I really put a lot of pressure on myself, more so than other people. But I try not to let that overwhelm me to the point where I can't even do good work. I just put it aside and do the best that I know that I can.
There are times in my life when I just want to be by myself.
I stay true to myself and my style, and I am always pushing myself to be aware of that and be original.
I don't have to go back to Australia until next year to finish shooting [the "Matrix" sequels]. It actually works out great, because I have the time needed to support the album and tour. ... It's kind of hard juggling both of them, because it's double the workload. But the way I look at is I just let it work itself out, let it flow. If I don't think about it, it won't drive me crazy.
I'm the interpreter. I'm the one who takes your words and brings them to life. I was trained to sing and dance and laugh, and that's what I want to do.
If at first you don't succeed/You can dust it off and try again/Dust yourself off and try again.
Whatever will be, will be.
There is a bit of acting involved when you get in front of a camera for a video. Even when you perform onstage, you're putting on a show.
I'm a total performer.
Because I came out as a singer, I took the time to get an acting coach.
Sensual is being in tune with your sensual self.
There are certain things I want to keep to me. I don't discuss my private life.
It's Friday and I'm ready to swing. Pick up my girls and hit the party scene.
I'm a survivor and I can handle anything. I'm very confident about that.
There are times I can't even figure myself out.
I don't think about my previous success. I'm happy that the work I've done has been very successful.
I don't feel I made any sacrifices at all. I'm doing my best to juggle.
I go through the same problems all young people go through. Being in this business, I accept that there are positives and negatives but having a strong family base and a belief in God enables me to weather the storms.
You have to love what you do to want to do it everyday.
My parents just tell me, ‘If you know what you want, you should stay determined and go for it. You can do anything.’
You have to enjoy your job; you should wake up every day and love what you do... I honestly do... From the bottom of my heart to the depths of my soul. I'm truly happy.
I wanted to be different and original but still have it be something my fans could get into. There also are some big, beautiful ballads. I told my producers that I wanted tracks that are going to blow up in the clubs, but I also wanted songs that were very melodic and with a lot of instrumentation.
Keep working hard and you can get anything that you want. If God gave you the talent, you should go for it. But don't think it's going to be easy. It's hard!
I don't want to abandon one work for the other, and I don't think I need to sacrifice anything to put my all into either one of them.
I want people to remember me as a full on entertainer and a good person.
It was always part of the plan to move into acting.
I have the time needed to support the album and tour.
That's why I work every day. Ev-er-y day. I want to knock people out.
It's been so long and I'm lost without you, what am I gonna do? I been needin' you, wantin' you, wonderin' if you're the same and who's been with you. Is your heart still mine? I wanna cry sometimes ... I miss you.
Keep working hard and you can get anything that you want.
When you get into this business you have to grow up quickly. But I wouldn't say I've lost any of my childhood, I've always been a mature child. My Mom says I've been like that since I was little kid. I make time for my friends and I make time for things that other kids do. This is a business and I knew what I was getting into. I make time for being a kid, but I also know when to put on my business hat and go for the business.
You know we're in a business where things are just unpredictable. You don't know what's going to happen...we were lucky Blessed, I think is a better way to put it.
I began to work the stage and get the audience into it. I also learned how to have fun out there. It is something I will never forget.
In film, you are a totally different person than in the video.
All I can do is leave it in God's hands and hope that my fans feel where I'm coming from.
Well, I think that the image is a part of me. I wear the baggy pants, the hats, the whole nine. And you know, I may add a little for the excitement and the intrigue in the videos, but my family has told me that little air of mystery that surrounds me is for real.
If you want to go to the mall, you have to take security. But it's always cool. The kids are amazing.
I know that people think I'm sexy and I am looked at as that. It is cool with me. It's wonderful to have sexy appeal. If you embrace it, it can be a very beautiful thing.
The Matrix is top secret. There isn't much that can be said right now.
I'm involved in some action scenes, so they'll train me for that. I'll be working with my acting coach to prepare for my character.
I wanna be the best at what I do. I wanna sing, I wanna dance, I wanna act. That's about it.
It's hard to say what I want my legacy to be when I'm long gone.
People are gonna look up to me because I'm young, black, and female.
It's fun to be creative and innovative and come up with something crazy. So I need people to work with who are not going to be afraid to take it to the left a bit.
